Microsoft Pledges to Close the Windows Phone App Gap by 2015

With the Nokia Lumia range having found its feet, Microsoft finally has the hardware to make the Windows Phone platform a success. But the apps? Yeah, they're still missing. It's a failing that Microsoft readily admits, and one that it's pledged to sort out in the near future.

Taking to Twitter, Joe Belfiore (vice president and manager for Windows Phone Program Management) acknowledged that, while core apps are present on the platform, the range pales in comparison to its Android and iOS rivals.

"We're all gonna look back on the end of 2014 as the ending of the app-gap for Windows Phone. The 3rd ecosystem is decidedly here!" said Belfiore.

Of course, Windows Phone technically already is the third eco-system, given BlackBerry's decline. But without the sheer numbers behind it, it will feel a distant third behind Apple and Google's offerings. How Belfiore will attract the development talent remains to be seen however -- without higher user numbers, they're less likely to get involved, and without a giant app catalogue you're unlikely to see users flock to Windows Phone. It's a vicious cycle that may prove difficult break. [Twitter via TechRadar]